Celebrate agriculture’s successes, says Christo van der Rheede, adjunct professor at the faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, University of Free State.
New brooms sweep clean, so the saying goes. The agricultural sector now has such a broom. Not that the old broom left a disastrous legacy. Former Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza tried her best to assist the agricultural sector. She understood the sector well and always maintained an open-door policy.
It was through her efforts that the sector was declared an essential service. Farmers, with the help of transportation permits provided by organized agriculture, were able to transport their produce to market freely. She realised that a self-regulatory approach would be much more effective than subjecting the agricultural sector to bureaucratic red tape.
The newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, is a seasoned politician who has shown a lively interest in the agricultural sector and has made regular visits to agricultural trade shows.
The relationships he has built have laid a solid foundation on which he can help the agricultural sector to grow on the one hand and to ensure food security for the country on the other.
The latter is critical. In fact, the United Nations predicts a 70% increase in global demand for food by 2050. This demand will only be satisfied by an agricultural sector that can make food production more cost-effective and efficient.
This agricultural industry was the only sector that showed strong growth in the first quarter of 2024. It is a valuable source of foreign exchange through the export of products and is the largest provider of rural jobs. According to Statistics SA, the agricultural sector’s latest employment figure stands at 941 000 people.
The South African agricultural sector also produces a wide variety of crops. In 2022, sugar cane and maize were the leading crops in the country, with about 18 million and 16.1 million tons respectively. Maize plays a major role in the agricultural sector in South Africa. In addition, as of 2023/2024, South Africa was one of the 10 leading wheat producing countries. Grain SA plays a pivotal role and it will benefit Minister Steenhuisen if he has the leadership’s contact details at hand.
The same applies to the poultry industry, the largest supplier of proteins. In 2020, there were more than 179 million live chickens in South Africa. Chicken production is badly affected by outbreaks of bird flu. In 2023, these had a devastating impact on the industry and immediate action is necessary if there is an outbreak.
During the previous outbreak, it was clear that there were differences between the industry, the Department of Agriculture (DALRRD) and veterinary professionals on how to address the problem and bring an end to it. Hopefully there is a strategy in place by now.
The livestock industry faces the same challenges regarding Foot and Mouth disease. A damning report on biosecurity management by DALRRD urgently requires the Minister’s attention. According to the appointed task team, the veterinary system and animal biosecurity system are malfunctioning.
Problems include legislative and budgetary constraints, poor and unscientific decision-making by officials, and inadequate coordination between national and provincial governments. And slow response to emergency situations, poor maintenance of border fences, laboratory infrastructure, equipment and research facilities.
This report cannot gather dust because it exposes serious risks to the livestock industry that generated revenue of R152 billion last year. The new minister also needs to look at the many other plans that agriculture has put together in collaboration with DALRRD.
The Agricultural Master Plan provides a sound basis for bringing about inclusive growth. It focuses, inter alia, on food security, expanded production, job creation, transformation, expanding markets, improving market access, extensive agro-processing and care and upliftment of farm workers to also allow them to share in the prosperity.
Start implementing some elements in the plan. The same applies to the poultry master plan.
Growth is a key word in the agricultural sector. However, without funding, this is not possible. Especially not for new entrants.
The Land Bank plays a central role in this regard and must now be placed on a solid trajectory of financial sustainability. Several state institutions provide funding and training, and private sector trusts make money available for agricultural development.
The agricultural sector has a story of highly successful development and empowerment at grassroots level that needs to be shared with all and sundry. This should be the big focus for Minister Steenhuisen.
Bring all role-players together so that everyone shares the grand vision. And showcase their successes!
This has been adapted by the author from an article first published in Landbouweekblad.
